Germany vs Japan
Corporate Tax Comparison
Time of Update: Germany: 4/02/2026 / Japan: 4/03/2026
Compare Germany and Japan corporate tax rates, filing due dates, withholding tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and effective tax metrics for cross-border company planning.
Germany vs Japan Corporate Tax Comparison
Basic Corporate Tax Comparison
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Germany
Japan
General CIT Rate:
Corporate income tax is 15%, plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the corporate income tax, resulting in a combined rate of 15.825%. Trade tax applies separately and generally ranges from 8.75% to 20.3% depending on the municipality. According to legislative changes adopted in 2025, the corporation tax rate is planned to decrease to 14% in 2028, 13% in 2029, 12% in 2030, 11% in 2031, and 10% from 2032 onward, with the solidarity surcharge continuing to apply.
General CIT Rate:
23.2
CIT Return Due Date:
July 31st (or extended to the end of February of the following year if the taxpayer instructs a professional tax advisor).
CIT Return Due Date:
Within two months after the end of the company's fiscal year.
CIT Payment Due Date:
As stated in the assessment notice.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Within two months after the end of the company's fiscal year.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Quarterly installment payments are due on the 10th day of March, June, September, and December.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Within two months after the end of the sixth month of the company's accounting period.
Withholding Tax (WHT)
Germany
Japan
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
25/25/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
20/20/0
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
25/0/15
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/20/20
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
Germany
Japan
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Capital gains are subject to the normal corporate tax rate.
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Capital gains are subject to the normal corporate income tax rate.
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
Germany
Japan
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
26.59
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
28.36
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
11.00
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
29.26
